Umarex Komplete air rifle.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
This report covers:
- Filled
- Less gas pressure
- The test
- Magazine
- Falcon pellets
- Air Arms 16-grain dome
- Benjamin Single Die
- Discussion
- Something else
- Summary
Happy Guy Fawkes Day!
Today we look at the accuracy of the Umarex Komplete air rifle on CO2. We have tried this rifle on nitrogen, high pressure air and CO2 is the last thing to be tested.
Filled
I first attached an 88-gram CO2 cartridge to the rifle, as before there was no hiss to let me know the cartridge was pierced. The cartridge just stiffened up while I was screwing it in and after another half turn I fired the rifle to see it was pierced, which it was.
Less gas pressure
We learned in Part 8 that on CO2 the Komplete shoots slower. That’s because CO2 gas is around 850 psi, where nitrogen or air are both at 3,651 psi with a full tank. Both those gasses will decrease in pressure as the rifle is fired, but the CO2 will maintain pressure as long as there is liquid in the cartridge. In Part 8 we learned there are approximately 50 good shots per cartridge.
The test
I shot the rifle from a bench with the rifle resting directly on a sandbag. The same UTG 10×44 SWAT scope that has been used since Part 3 was still on the rifle and I learned something good from that. I’ll address it in a bit.
I shot 10-shot groups with each of the two best pellet we have seen in this series.
Magazine
The Komplete circular mag is very easy to load and if this is your only rifle that uses one I think you’ll like it. On the other hand I shoot a LOT of different air rifles and every time there is a circular mag I have to learn it all over again.
Falcon pellets
I should have shot a group with Air Arms Falcon pellets because they gave the smallest group at 21 yards—ten in 0.4 inches / 10.16mm. Unfortunately when I went to the tin there were less than 10 pellets remaining. So I switched to the next best pellet.
Air Arms 16-grain dome
The first pellet I shot for record was the Air Arms 16-grain dome. Something interesting happened on the first shot and I will show you.
The first shot from the Komplete landed below the bullseye. Why? Because the pellet is going around 250 f.p.s slower on CO2. We learned that in Part 8.
So if you switch to CO2 from either nitrogen or high-pressure air you may need to re-zero your rifle. Nitrogen and air shoot so close that you can keep the zero, but remember in Part 5 we learned that some .22-caliber pellets are large enough to hit the baffles—at least in the test rifle.
The other nine pellets went into 0.53-inches / 19.12mm at 21 yards / 19.2 meters. On high-pressure air ten of the same pellets made a 0.366-inch / 9.3mm group. So either air did slightly better than CO2 or BB Pelletier was a little off his game today.
The Komplete put nine Air Arms 16-grain domes into as 0.53-inch group at 21 yards.
Benjamin Single Die
The most accurate pellet in Part 7 was the Benjamin Single Die. Ten of them went into 0.241-inches / 6.12mm. Today on CO2 ten of the same pellets went into a 0.524-inch / 13.31mm group at 21 yards.
The Komplete put ten Benjamin Single Die pellets into 0.524 inches at 21 yards.
Discussion
I think I was a little off today and the Komplete is probably just as accurate on CO2 as on nitrogen or air at 21 yards. At longer distances, say 40 yards and farther, CO2 accuracy probably drops off.
The UTG 10×44 scope is ideal for this rifle because of its size. And it’s also ideal for this distance.
We also learned the necessity of re-zeroing our rifle when switching from nitrogen or air to CO2.
Something else
The Komplete may have taught me something else. Since I depressurize it when switching gasses it got me wondering if that is something all precharged pneumatics (PCP) need. Should we be depressurizing most of them between uses? We know that AirForce and RAW rifles can hold forever and maybe a few others can as well, but the bulk of PCPs leak down between uses.
I also know that many PCP owners will accept a slow leak that takes 1-2 weeks to bleed down. This is something I would like to test, but I need to give it some thought before I do.
Summary
The Umarex Komplete is a watershed rifle! It’s one that has changed the game and I don’t think even Umarex knew how much when they launched it. It inexpensive, lightweight, accurate and it uses three different power sources. What’s not to like?
Tom,
Acceptable accuracy for the price it is sold for I believe. I wonder if there are some things that can still be done to improve the accuracy of this rifle?
Siraniko
PS Section Magazine 1st sentence: “The Komplete circular mag is very easy to load and it (if) this is your only rifle that uses one I think you’ll like it.”
PPS Section Discussion last paragraph: “We also learned the necessity of re-zeroing out (our) rifle when switching from nitrogen or air to CO2.”
Siraniko,
Corrected both.
You always make finding the errors so easy. Thanks,
BB
BB
I may be mistaken but I think you recently started putting high flashpoint silicon oil in the fill port of all PCP’s every time you filled. If this is so, are you still finding they leak or is it too early to know?
Deck
Deck,
I have been putting silicon oil in my PCPs for several years. It does indeed help them. It will migrate to the leak where it will revitalize the o-ring or seal the leak if it is small enough. It will help to revitalize all of the o-rings in the system. Any excess will be blown out the barrel, helping to lubricate it.
Silicon oil will also help to prevent internal rust from water condensation which may be present in the fill air.
I am not sure what effect silicon oil may have on regulators, but it did not seem to affect the one in my Edge. You will have to ask BB about that one.
Deck,
I am doing that and it has slowed some of the leakers but it’s still a bit early to know everything.
BB
BB & RR
Thanks to both for replies.
I got my first PCP several years ago. It was BB’s “Golden Gun”, the Ataman P16.
I put a drop of silicon chamber oil in the gun’s fill port at the advice of Shootski and I think Gunfun1, RR and Chris. There were some differences of opinion about how much and how often to use. Some veteran PCP shooter cautioned (not those mentioned) about it screwing up the regulators but I didn’t want to fool with buying additional moisture filtration so I decided on a drop or three every time I filled. I have since acquired an Avenger and an Urban. They get the same drop or three. None of these leak and all continue to maintain their respective accuracy levels. Recently BB, who shoots so many tests he can’t get around to all his PCPs often noticed all but the Air Force guns leaked to some degree and I think decided to use the silicon chamber oil every fill. This allayed any concerns I had. I only have one high cost PCP, the Ataman. If I had more like many readers do I might spring for the filtration equipment.
I also have two Kompletes. So far as I can tell they don’t leak but lacking pressure gages, I am not certain yet. They get the same drop or three every time a cartridge goes in.
Deck
I have two Umarex Origins that have held air for five years now and one DAR Gen 2 that went back to Santa’s workshop immediately, got repaired under warranty and has held air since Feb 2021, My DAR gen 3 is another matter fixing leaks on it has become my new hobby. It started leaking soon,I should have returned it to Pyramid but I had already worked the trigger it proved to a really good shooter. I got it to a slow leak as in losing roughly 500 PSI per month and I tolerated that. Two months or so ago I had to fix inlet check valve and that stated to leak fixing dance all over again. It’s kind of like fixing a power steering fluid leak on a late seventies Ford pick up ,fix one leak create another.
ssc,
I am speaking out of total ignorance, but are you using Chinese made o-rings? It is my understanding they are not worth using.
I have been tempted with both the Origins and DAR. Much to Mrs. RidgeRunner’s dismay, when it comes to the modern airguns, I tend to spend a bit more than they sell for. The good thing is I only buy one or two each year.
I buy my O-rings from McMaster and Carr, I’ve tried Buna and Viton . I wrap any threads an O-ring has to get over with heavy foil and if an O-rings has to go past a little hole say a gauge block I use a .005” Mylar shim to protect it and then pull the shim out after installing. This darn Gen three is just a lemon air tube wise. DAR has been great, they have sent me a new gauge block , new poppet valve and some of their O-rings and their O-rings are way too soft but I try them and they work everywhere but my problem leak aft of the gauge block.I am not giving up .
ssc,
Knock on wood, I have not had a leak problem except with my Edge which BB now owns and a Max which Fawlty Manuel now owns. A couple of drops of silicon oil seemed to fix the Edge. The Max may have a faulty o-ring causing it to leak. I fixed it with silicon oil when I had it, but FM says it is still leaking. This will likely give him some experience in rebuilding a Max.
I am going to have to tear my Discovery apart and see what is wrong with it. Fortunately, I found my round tuit and bought another at the show last month.
RidgeRunner of the Peeples Demacratik Republik of Virginia
Your former Max is leaking veeery slowly and this has no effect on the enjoyable shooting sessions with it. FM now has a couple of o-ring sets to tackle a rebuild but this will be tried first on the other Max on hand, a .22 Hunter version, identical to the one you caught at the NC airgun show except that yours is .177 – that rifle needs attention. The gauge seems to be stuck and always reads full. When you fire the rifle 1-2 times the pressure drops and pellets barely exit the barrel.
FM will have to bite the pellet and take it apart. He made sure to download the available exploded diagrams and instructions before undertaking any surgery. Fingers crossed he can successfully rehab this gun ‘cuz it’s not going anywhere.
I looked through one of my o-ring “storehouse” boxes this AM and found some 27×3 o-rings that I never considered before as the listing was different than I am used to. 27 in this case is the OD not the ID. My problem leak has a 21×2.5 o-ring involved so the rings I found would give me .020” more in the cross section. I will try those, only cost my time to find out.
I do not recall seeing any of these at the show this year. I was going to encourage my grandson to get one, but he traded his Gauntlet for one of those Turkish Benjamin bullpups. He seems to be happy with it, but he is starting to get into that powder burner thing. Ah well.
B.B.
This gun should be called the 3 Gasser! However, in the real world I think most owners will settle on just one gas.
If it was your gun, which gas would it be? Since you need different kit for the different gases, ownership just got VERY complicated!
-Yogi
Yogi,
That’s a great question! If I had the money for the additional tank and could fill it I think high-pressure air is the way to go. But for starters I’d shoot the large CO2 containers. The nitrogen is too expensive to consider.
BB
B.B,
I don’t believe this is a good idea:
“Since I depressurize it when switching gasses it got me wondering if that is something all precharged pneumatics (PCP) need. Should we be depressurizing most of them between uses?”
You are basing that on one PCP/C0² airgun which is a VERY limited data set. My experience with maintaining at least some pressure is based on more than a half century of SCUBA cylinder, valve, and regulator experience and the advice of system builders.
In the realm of PCP, Multi Pump, and CO² (bulk fill) airguns it is based on decades of experience and the advice of many other early adopting PCP owners and builders.
Now for the Coup de Grâce! The Godfather of Airguns® hiself recommended leaving Multi Pump airguns with two or three pumps in the airgun between storage and shooting sessions ;^)
The hurrier I go the behinder I get!
just an observation for you to ponder…
shootski
shootski,
Yeah, I didn’t write everything I was thinking. I was saving it for a report. I would pressurize to around 1000 psi and leave it there until I want to shoot. After shooting if it was over about 1600 psi I’d depressurize it under that level.
BB
I have thought of doing exactly that. The last time I shot my .25 Origin, I left it at 2000 PSI that was three months ago and it is still at 2000 PSI. I really believe in the gas spring and piston inside the Origin’s air tube somewhat taking the place of a regulator. I wonder why no one else has tried that.
ssc,
The only reason I can think of such is this may be patented, although I think it is a very old idea. Most PCP manufacturers seem to be hung up on very high pressures. TCFKAC has taken a slight step back. Despite being bought out by Gamo, there may be hope for them yet.
Any further advancements in airgunning will likely take a bit of thinking outside of the box like this to happen.
RidgeRunner of the Peeples Demacratik Republik of Virginia
RR
BB has a good ed in PA’s latest catalog that may nudge airgun companies toward lower fill pressures. Common sense says there are real advantages, one being the ability to easily fill with a hand pump and another being longer lasting seals better able to hold air pressure.
Adding to my comment above, I have been only filling to about 75% of pressure capacity for almost a year.
Deck
I looked at the Umarex website this morning and the everpressure system does have protections pending.
RidgeRunner,
Are you getting any of the smoke from the Bald Mountain Fire?
Hope the wildfires stay away from your property.
Best,
shootski
B.B.,
Before i rebuilt it my Benjamin Discovery had held a full charge of CO² or a full fill of air for long periods with NO leak down evident; then after i started recently routinely shooting it (after a few years of NO use) it would leak down to 1,200 psi from a full fill in a few days. For a time the Silicone Oil worked but these were ALL the original O-Rings and in a VERY early Discovery. It is holding a full fill currently and shooting MV as it did when new.
In learning about O-Rings materials/shapes and the engineering of the grooves they ride in is way more complex than i suspected before doing a little digging.
shootski
B.B. and Readership,
You may or may not have taken note of RidgeRunners signature on his replies recently:
“RidgeRunner of the Peeples Demacratik Republik of Virginia”
With the Former Commonwealth of Virginia election of Abigail Spanberger and a Democrat Supermajority in the Legislature comes the impending end of Freedom’s protection in the soon to be PDRV!
We Liberty Loving Virginians need your prayers more than ever to overcome the tyrannical wave of anti Second Amendment legislation that will be unleashed on us in the next few years.
Thank you,
shootski
Shootski,
You probably know as well as I, the political pendulum must swing to the extreme before any change occurs to reverse it. Although lately when it swings to the right it never really swings to the extreme before it returns.
Welcome to ‘Calaginia’.
Just read some disturbing news on another blog about the Hatsan Blitz 777 I have in the mail. Seems a receiver pin may work loose, elongate a hole and eventually ‘walk out’ get bent and bulge out the RH side access panel resulting in a failure.
Cleaning and re-lube seems to help operation. Not sure if the problem is widespread with the 777 or only with earlier models. I know they upgraded the airgun recently, new digital pressure gage and ? One owner made a stronger/thicker side access panel to solve the problem. I will be monitoring it. Sounds like pin staking may be needed, or at least helpful.
Bob M,
I read a few of those posts and had to stop because the mechanical illiteracy was too stressful ;^)
Is that a valve pin, trigger cassette, or a hing pin like on a firearm AR? Also is it a roll or a solid pin?
I have a hard time understanding how upgrading the side plate is the best way to solve a pin walking problem.
I would think staking would be an improvement but a better approach might be some of the other pin retention (circlip) systems.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that after you set up yours it behaves well for you!
shootski
Shootski
I guess I’m one of the so called ” Southern Democrats” , as are most of those I am acquainted with around here. The meaning of the term seems fairly accurate in that I, we, tend to be a bit less liberal than we are often accused of.
Certainly there are some very vocal people who for some reason are adamant about the evils of weapons of any sort but particularly those that burn powder. But I don’t believe there are nearly enough of them to abort our freedoms easily.
Not that we shouldn’t be alert to misstatements, misrepresentations and downright lies,, but I have heard plenty of those from both sides of the aisle. Blaming one political party for all the ills of the world seems a bit silly to me when it is the whole that needs work.
The key is to have an educated electorate. This is where BB is doing ALL gun owners a great service, and he does it without labels. I appreciate him more than he imagines.
Ed
edlee,
I totally agree that the whole of our current system needs work.
The problem is that the local (Virginia) Current Events and those our the next few years are very predictable based on the Left’s Bills that came up for votes in our Legislature and passed only to be vetoed by our Governor who is middle Right. Those Bills did not have enough votes to overcome the Parliamentary hurdle that tries to ensure the Minority Voice will at least be heard. Sadly the anger (HATE on the part of many) against the Federal Administration seems to have changed the local elections especially with the gigantic influx of monetary support from outside sources.
The Commonwealth is now faced with a Super Majority voting block of legislators who could overcome a Governor’s Veto although that need is highly unlikely given the Governor Elects list of donors when it comes to honoring the 2nd Amendment’s guarantee.
I hope that makes my concern and that of other folks in Virginia (who are neither just from the Right or Left on constitutional overreaches) on the value of Individual Liberty a bit clearer.
shootski